The International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement that its director general Mohamed ElBaradei "welcomes and is greatly encouraged by the joint statement of presidents (Dmitry) Medvedev and (Barack) Obama."

ElBaradei said he believes the two leaders' commitment to pursue a new arms agreement "demonstrates leadership and finally moves us beyond the Cold War mentality."

Meeting ahead of the G20 summit in London, Obama and Medvedev agreed Wednesday to hold talks on a new accord for cutting their respective nuclear arsenals to replace the cornerstone START arms reduction treaty which expires at the end of the year.

The 1991 treaty limits the number of missiles and warheads that each side may have, and was the basis of Cold War strategic arms control.

US officials have not disclosed the size of the cuts, but have signalled they will cover a substantial chunk of the superpower armoury.

ElBaradei, who steps down in November, said the measures would contribute to the strengthening of the non-proliferation regime "by creating a much needed momentum for the universal adherence to comprehensive safeguards agreements and additional protocols and the enhancement of the safeguards system."

The Egyptian-born diplomat also hailed Obama's and Medvedev's commitment "to promote the safe and peaceful use of nuclear energy for all countries and their support in that regard for the IAEA's efforts to pursue multilateral approaches to the nuclear fuel cycle."

ElBaradei said he shared the two leaders' views "on the urgent need for a verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula."

And he supported their commitment "to pursue a direct and comprehensive diplomatic solution with Iran that would address the international community's concerns while guaranteeing Iran's right to a peaceful nuclear programme."

In their joint statement, Obama and Medvedev said they recognised Iran's right to a civilian nuclear programme, but insisted that Tehran do more to convince the world of the exclusively peaceful nature of its atomic drive.

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